TRIPS, TIPS & DEALS. DEAL FOR REAL.

The Full Monte, Carlo That Is, For $2,594

April 16, 2000|By Toni Stroud/Tribune Staff Writer.

Fly from Chicago to Nice, France, then head to Monaco for a six-night stay using the package from Air France Holidays. Offer good now through Oct. 31, based on availability, but best pricing is for travel before June 15 or after Sept. 1. (800-2-FRANCE)

Hotel: $906 (six nights at $151, VAT and service included) for standard double room at Abela Hotel Monaco, theoretical check-in date of Sept. 6. Breakfast: $192 (six meals for two people at $16/person) for daily breakfast at hotel.

Total price for package-equivalent items, purchased on our own, per couple: $2,444

Difference: $150 less on our own.

PLUSES AND MINUSES

We were attracted to the ad published in the April 2 Tribune Travel section that beckoned: "Cater to your soul. $1,099.* Monaco." The asterisk beside the price meant that particular tariff was per person, double occupancy, for the least expensive hotel during the lowest season. The fine print also said that in addition to the package price, customs and departure tax would be added, and that weekend and trade-show surcharges also might apply.

The $2,594 above reflects those additions, bringing the $1,099 advertised rate to $1,297 per person. That seemed like a lot of taxes, even for a trip to Europe. It turns out the $2,594 above also reflects another addition: The reservations operator had quoted a six-night stay, when the $1,099 advertised was for only a five-night stay.

We decided that there are many worse things in life than being obliged to spend an extra night in Monte Carlo. So rather than quibble, we set about the task of seeing if we could beat the six-night package quote Air France Vacations gave us over the phone. And we did, by what works out to be $12/person per night.

THE VERDICT

Unless you have a particular reason to fly on Air France, it's more economical to skip the package and make your own arrangements. True, $12/person a day is not a significant amount of cash. But as a lump sum, $150 could go toward something practical, like airport transfers, or toward something truly important, like that big win in the casino.